Service

I offer warranty and post-warranty service on my custom harmonicas.

Regrets, I do not offer service to harmonicas I have not customized.

I do not work on chromatic harmonicas. I only customize diatonic harmonicas.

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Regular service will maintain your harps high level of response and volume far beyond the lifespan of a stock harp.

Send them to me as often as you like (or only when needed). Typically, players send me their harps about once per year.

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Custom harmonica service
(these charges apply after the 12 month warranty period)

CAD$32 plus shipping cost

- Brings the reeds back to like-new condition.
- Functional and cosmetic touch-ups as required.
- Tuning touch up using an analogue Peterson Strobe Tuner to allow smooth playing.
- Replacement of blown/fractured reeds (CAD$5.00 extra charge per reed).
- If you are in a rush and don't require very precise tuning, I can do a quick turnover.
I develop new innovations all the time. If your harp is older and can benefit from upgrades while I perform service, I will offer them to you at no extra cost. This may increase lead time.

Extra charges may apply to deal with non-normal-use related wear (Example, dropped, smashed or crushed components.)

Have a set? I offer a 20 per cent discount on the service fee when you send me five or more instruments from the same set.

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Basic Custom or Semi-Custom-to-Full-Custom upgrade

CAD$75 plus shipping cost

Get more volume and response for much less breath. This is for those who would like their Semi Custom harmonica to do more of the work and play with much less effort.

- Brings the instrument to the level of my Full Custom.
- Replacement of blown/fractured reeds (CAD$5.00 extra charge per reed).
- I aim for a turnover time of 60 days starting from the day I receive the harp to the day I ship it back to you.

Extra charges may apply to deal with non-normal-use related wear (Example, dropped, smashed or crushed components.)

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Please send me a clean instrument

To ensure long life and good performance out of your instrument, you should regularly take it apart and clean it gently with soap and water.

To avoid added charges, please send me a clean instrument. If there is buildup inside the harp, please take it apart and gently clean the reed plates and covers with dish soap and water. Please clean non-wooden combs in the same manner. Do not use alcohol - it doesn't clean or kill germs very well. We don't use alcohol on our forks and knives, do we?

Extra cleaning charge - CAD$20 per harmonica

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How do I send you my harps?

Please download, print and fill out this form: Service form. Don't forget to include it along with the harps you are sending me!

Shipping a handful of harps to me costs about $10 plus tax via US Postal Service or CanadaPost. I prefer to use insured shipping when sending your harps back to you.

USA customers, I recommend US Postal Service instead of a courier like UPS or Purolator. Use customs code 9205.90.1900. Some carriers charge unexpected brokerage fees. Instructions on how to avoid being accidentally charged these fees are on the service form PDF. Please contact me with any questions so that we avoid unexpected customs fees.

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The real cost of a custom harmonica

My service extends the life of the instrument. Reeds can be replaced, the tuning can be adjusted and the harp can maintain its high level of response and volume far beyond the lifespan of a stock harp.

My custom harmonicas are much better instruments than stock. Despite the higher initial cost, over five years the overall cost of ownership of a semi-custom or custom harmonica is significantly lower than the cost of stock, off-the-shelf harmonicas. My custom harmonicas offer much better value than stock instruments.

Comparison: Over Five years:

Hohner Crossover* - $111 x 5 = $555
Semi custom Hohner Rocket - $179 + $200** = $379
Custom Hohner Marine Band Deluxe - $268 + $200** = $468
** Service costs with shipping charges added